How to Map Out a New Task

Teaching tasks is not always as simple as teaching Sit. Unlike your basic commands, you may or may not be able to find clear instructions online or in a book. Even if you can find instructions online, those instructions may not fit with what you need for your disability or what you're capable of doing with your disability. I often find this to be true when mapping out tasks for CRPS - many tasks are similar to other mobility tasks, but the way they're taught for the average mobility-impaired individual often lends the dog to accidentally triggering pain flares if I taught it the same way. 

Learn to take simple object --> learn to take clothing article --> learn to help with laundry

Part of my job as a service dog trainer is thinking through how to map out various tasks.

​I think through every part of the task, see it in my mind, work through variables of what I know a dog can do, what I know my dog can do, what I need, and options for how we might get there. I've done this process for every single task I already offer in my training program for service dogs, and I repeat it anytime I need to add a task for my own service dog, or for adding a specific task for a client.

​My service dog training program is broken into separate courses, to better enable me to jump in wherever your team is currently, and to help clients start (getting a dog) to finish (working coherently in public). I offer a task training course for teaching all of the tasks you need and public access knowledge, and the option for teaching tasks one at a time, if you're on a tight budget. Learn more about these options by booking a free consult with the button below :)

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If you're not currently in a position to afford working one on one with me or another trainer, though, I encourage you to use the following outline to help yourself learn how to map out tasks or teach this exact task for your own team :) 

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